Friday Fireside Lecture to focus on President Harding's visit to Alaska

Posted: February 16, 2012 - 1:05am

This week’s Fireside lecture at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center will focus on President Warren Harding’s visit to Alaska. Harding, in office from 1921-1923, and was the first president to visit Alaska. He was photographed in front of Mendenhall Glacier in July, 1923, less than a month before his death at age 58 in San Francisco. At that time, some speculated that his death might have been caused by tainted Alaska shellfish, others claimed he had a stroke, or a heart attack, and others suspected something more sinister. Pursue the intrigue with local historian Jim Geraghty.

Two presentations will be offered, at 6:30 p.m. and at 8 p.m. at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. There is no charge and the public is welcome to attend.